The Minister of Power, Adebayo Adelabu has urged the Borno State Governor, Babagana Zulum, to look at the provision of security to protect power infrastructure in the state.
In a statement issued by his ministry, Adelabu spoke when the governor visited him in Abuja to explore areas of collaboration between the ministry and the Borno state government.
He particularly referred to the destruction of power towers recently in the North East zone which led to the death of a security personnel and disruption of electricity to some states in the zones.
He said: “Although we immediately commenced the repair, it is quite discouraging when government spends so much and these assets are vandalized.”
According to Governor Zulum who visited during the week, his administration had spent over N500 million in the purchase of transformers for different communities in the state.
He said his visit was to explore more opportunities of working together with the Ministry of Power.
The Minister who expressed appreciation for the visit reiterated his call for collaboration between the State and the Federal government especially in the provision of power infrastructure.
He noted that Governor Zulum’s action has further confirmed the importance of a collaboration between the State and the Federal government in the provision of regular electricity supply to businesses and households in the country.
Adelabu further revealed that the Federal Government is embarking on significant expansion projects on the Transmission network to increase electricity supply to load Centres.
He said: “These grid projects will strengthen the transmission network and create alternative transmission corridors to avoid grid collapse.”
Commending the governor, the Minister said the provision of regular electricity in the country could be further strengthened with collaboration between State and the Ministry of Power.
The Minister also expressed the view that the Electricity act of 2023 has made provision for Sub Nationals (States) to participate in the electricity market, and he looks forward to creating an enabling environment for State’s participation in the electricity market.
“By investing in transformers and electricity poles which is about grid extension, the Governor has further confirmed our approach that the State needs to be involved in the provision of power infrastructure.
“We have further indicated to distribution companies that end-users must not be required to purchase equipment for the delivery electricity. This infrastructure must be provided by the distribution companies while there will be interventions from Federal and State governments. Agencies such as the Rural Electrification Agency will also intervene in electrifying communities that are not commercially viable for the distribution companies”, Adelabu said.
